9-Day Kilimanjaro Machame Climb with Materuni Waterfall Tour

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Day 01

Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport

• Arrive anytime at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO). We will arrange a private transfer from Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) to your hotel, and the hotel is included. We will gather at the hotel for a pre-climb briefing and an equipment check. We will also confirm that you have the appropriate mandatory medical coverage and travel insurance.
• The Kilimanjaro trek begins and ends in Moshi. Before the climb, you will enjoy a day tour to Materuni Waterfalls.

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Day 02

Materuni Waterfall and Coffee Tour

• Around 30-40 minutes outside Moshi is Materuni Waterfall. As this trip is so close by, it is ideal for those with limited time who would still like to see some of the nature and beauty that this region of Tanzania has to offer. These falls are impressive at 150 meters high and are definitely worth seeing. From Materuni Village, we will walk for 30-40 minutes to the waterfall. The walk is exciting, as you will see smaller waterfalls and lots of waterways that form part of the irrigation system used by local farmers growing coffee, bananas, and many other fruits and vegetables.
• The coffee tour in Materuni Village introduces you to one of the area's main crops. The village produces many perishable goods, including yam, sugar, maize, and beans. However, coffee is the main crop grown here. In the village, you will learn about the process from cultivation to the moment the coffee is finally poured, steaming hot, into your cup. You will pick your coffee, remove the outer cover, and then crush it into coffee granules using previously dried coffee.
• After experiencing the complete coffee production process, you will be able to enjoy your own satisfying and rewarding cup of fresh coffee. You will also learn how the Chagga tribe lives, including their home set-up, the types of food they cook and eat, and how they rear their animals.

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Day 03

Machame Gate to Machame Camp

• The drive from Moshi to the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park gate takes about 50 minutes. The journey passes through the village of Machame, which is located on the mountain's lower slopes.
• We now leave the park gate and walk through the rainforest on a winding trail up a ridge. Lower down, the trail can be muddy and slippery, so gaiters and trekking poles are a good idea here. We continue a short distance until we reach Machame Camp.

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Day 04

Machame Camp to Shira Camp

• After breakfast, we leave the rainforest glades and continue on an ascending path, crossing a small valley and walking along a steep rocky ridge covered with heather until the ridge ends. The route then turns west onto a river gorge. Time for rest, dinner, and an overnight stay at Shira Camp.

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Day 05

Shira Camp via Lava Tower to Barranco Camp

• From the Shira Plateau, we continue east up a ridge, passing the junction toward the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the southeast toward the Lava Tower, called the "Shark's Tooth." Shortly after the tower, we come to the second junction, which leads up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 16,000 ft.
• We then continue down to Barranco Camp at an altitude of 13,000 ft. Here, we rest, enjoy dinner, and stay overnight. Although you end the day at nearly the same elevation as when you started, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.

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Day 06

Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

• After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge, passing the Barranco Wall to the Karanga Valley campsite. Then we leave Karanga and join the junction that connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to Barafu Camp.
• At this point, you have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here, we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo can be seen from this position.

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Day 07

Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp

• Very early in the morning, between midnight and 2 am, we continue to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head northwesterly and ascend through heavy scree toward Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek.
• At Stella Point (18,600 ft), you will stop for a short rest and, weather permitting, be rewarded with one of the most magnificent sunrises you are ever likely to see. From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. At Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. Faster hikers may see the sunrise from the summit.
• From the summit, we descend straight down to Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You will want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel on the way down. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest, and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, we will enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.

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Day 08

Mweka Camp to Moshi

• After breakfast, we descend to Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy, so gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and T-shirts will probably be enough to wear, but keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy.
• From the gate, you continue for another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet you there and drive you back to your hotel in Moshi.

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Day 09

Departure or Onward Travel

• Today, you leave for your next destination. If you have a safari planned, this day may be used to begin it, or you may fly to Zanzibar or return home. Our vehicle will be ready to take you to the airport at your preferred time.